Sheinelle Jones takes break from ‘Today‘ show to focus on family
Sheinelle Jones took to Instagram to explain that she is taking a temporary break from NBC’s “Today” show to address a family health matter.
unbranded – Entertainment
Sheinelle Jones’ “Today” show colleagues think about her every single day.
In an update with “Entertainment Tonight” published April 30, Jones’ co-hosts from the NBC morning show’s third hour addressed her absence once again.
“I don’t know anything about when or timeline (for the return), but we always think about her,” Carson Daly told Entertainment Tonight, adding that they “talk about (Jones) probably every day.”
“The Voice” host added that “we’re wishing her well and she’s spending much-needed time with her family and that’ll just take its course. And there’s so much love going out to her.”
The beloved co-anchor and mom of three of the NBC morning show’s third hour paused hosting duties in December to “deal with a family health matter,” but it does not appear that she is stepping back permanently from her role. She first raised eyebrows when she was absent during the high-profile exit of former “Today” main co-anchor Hoda Kotb in January.
Shortly after, Jones took to Instagram to confirm her hiatus, writing in a post: “I sincerely appreciate all of you who have reached out while l’ve been absent from the show. I want to share with you that I’m taking time to deal with a family health matter.”
The celebrations, dubbed “Hoda-bration,” featured messages from “Today” personalities sans Jones. During the interview with ET, NBC meteorologist Dylan Dreyer chimed in about her close friend’s distance from “Today,” saying the whole team is “very close.”
“We chat with her often. A week doesn’t go by where we’re not checking in, seeing how she’s doing,” Dreyer said. “We pray for her all the time, we can’t wait for her to come back, so we’re just waiting for that day to come.”
Jones’ “Today” colleague Jenna Bush Hager, who now hosts “Jenna & Friends” after Kotb’s departure, told ET’s Rachel Smith that “the ‘Today’ show is a family, and we take care of each other, we love each other and that’s the truth.”
“Today” fan favorite Al Roker chimed in, saying that “the fact of the matter is, we’re so grateful to all the fans and viewers who’ve been praying for her and praying for her family and just taking it one day at a time.
“The good news is this is a family, and we’ve got each other’s back,” Roker continued.
Craig Melvin, Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer previously addressed Sheinelle Jones’ absence
Amid Jones’ ongoing absence, her “Today” family members sent love and prayers in April.
During an Access Hollywood segment, fellow “Today” anchors Roker, Melvin and Dreyer offered an update on their colleague.
“Just talked to her a couple of days ago,” Melvin said. “She’s taking some time to be with her family, and we talk to her all the time. And we love our girl. It’s been nice to see how much everyone else loves her too.”
Jones shares three children with her husband, Uche Ojeh: oldest son Kayin and fraternal twins Clara and Uche Jr.
“We’re just praying for her,” Roker said in the “Access Hollywood” clip, while Dreyer added that “She misses being here. She wishes she was here with us but she’s doing what she needs to do, and she’ll be back.”
Contributing: Anna Kaufman
Leave a Reply